Tuesday night I invited over a few friends (@JarrahPenguin, @IrisDias, @Bexter80 and Orgle) to taste a few ciders. They had a general idea of which ciders were in play, but no idea what order they were in.
I got people to rank the ciders and offer their thoughts.
The most resounding conclusion was which was the worst. That’s where I will start.
5. Magners Irish Cider
Company description: (wouldn’t let me cut and paste, so here’s Wikipedia instead) The ciders are made from 17 varieties of apples, fermented and matured for up to two years.[4] It is available in 330 ml, pint, litre and 750 ml bottles and 500 ml cans, and is served over ice. It is also available in most Irish bars on draught and Magners is available in some bars on draught in Scotland. Initially only available in Spain, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the brand saw its popularity increase significantly in recent years and is now available across the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Canada,[5] New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.[1]
Our thoughts: It was last on all five lists. One person even refused to drink it (due to an allergy to colouring agents, which is in the list of ingredients!) and the rest of the bottle was poured down the sink afterwards.
“Not a very noticeable flavour but the after-taste tastes a bit fake or at least bitter. Colour is added? Why??”
“Doesn’t taste like much – no aftertaste, very little present taste.”
“I am not impressed with added colour.”
“Tastes like water. No fizz. Smells like perfume. Looks orange. Awful.”
Average score: 1/5
4. Dukes Cider (See: My Original Review)
Company Description: (From Facebook page) Dukes has a very ‘real’ taste compared to most other apple ciders and boasts a subtle apple flavour with a nice dry finish. There is nothing artificial in taste about it and at only 5% ABV it is very easy to drink and perfect for any occasion, whether it’s poured over ice or well chilled and straight out of the can.
Our thoughts: In discussion, a lot of people likened it to the other dry ciders, while preferring the others. It wasn’t hated, it just wasn’t liked all that much.
“More fizzy than others, quite dry and tastes a bit alcoholly, but definitely less apple than the rest.”
“Flavour fall kind of flat.”
“I don’t like this one.”
“Tastes similar to [what would later be Strongbow] but is more bitter and has a not totally pleasant after-taste, sorta like apple juice.”
“This was better than I remembered it being.”
Average score: 2/5
3. Strongbow (See: My review of Australian Strongbow)
Company description: Strongbow is a crisp, premium imported cider from the U.K. which delivers maximum refreshment in an authentic, traditional English recipe.
Our thoughts: It didn’t come first on any lists, but was middle of the pack for most people. That seems about right for a middle of the pack cider!
“Nicely balanced. Delicate, not too sweet with a nice finish.”
“Not much fizz, fairly dry. It’s likeable but lacking zip. Very standard cider.”
“Meh. The taste is totally neutral. Not offensive, just not impressive.”
“Lighter, brighter flavour. Pleasant. Could drink a large cup/bottle, a good summer patio drink.”
Average score: 3/5
2. Merridale House Cider
Company Description: This Pub Draft cider is a lighter, sweeter version of our traditional cider, but still very dry, served on tap. House cider is on tap in Vancouver Island’s finest pubs and restaurants.
First a thought from me: Looking back, I should have picked Merridale’s Traditional Cider to go in this tasting. Because this is a slightly sweeter cider, it really stood out from the pack. After the tasting, several of the women said they had rated it fairly low, but after drinking more (not alongside the dry ciders) that it may be their new favourite.
Our thoughts: It had the biggest range in rating (from 1st to 4th). But no one gave it thumbs down. In the field of dry ciders, it did seem sweet.
“Don’t love the smell. Pretty sweet. Good to sip, probably not good for a full drink.”
“At first, tasted great, but in comparison to the others, it’s a bit too sweet. It’s the brightest of the bunch but I don’t think I would want to drink a lot of it.”
“A sweeter cider with a nice tart edge to mute it. Definitely the most apple flavour of the bunch.”
“Sweeter, more flavourful. Probably not great for drinking a lot.”
Average score: 3.5/5
1. Rock Creek Cider
Company description: 
Style: Dry Cider
Colour: Light yellow (varies by batch)
Key Ingredients: Okanagan apples, pears
Character: Apple with notes of vanilla and cinnamon, mouth feel is crisp and dry
My thoughts: This vindicates, somewhat, the fact that for years, this has been my go-to six-pack dry cider. It spends time with me on the beach in summer and ends up in recipes and mulled in the winter.
Our thoughts: It was first on the sheets that didn’t have Merridale up top. It ranked above Strongbow on all five – though people likened one to the other.
“Dry with a very subtle, delicate finish. Aromatic.”
“Similar to [Strongbow] but with a stronger apple flavour. Crisp, bright, no fake or bitter after-taste. My number 1 choice. It’s the most re-drinkable, cleanest taste, not too sweet.”
“Appley! Awesome! It tastes FRESH!”
“Flavour doesn’t last but what subtle apple flavour it does have is good. Quite carbonated.”
Average score: 4.5/5
Other conclusions: It seems if you like Strongbow, but want something crisper, then go for Rock Creek. If you like Strongbow, but want something more bitter, go for Dukes. If you don’t want to go to the sweetness of Growers Cider, but like a bit of sweetness, try Merridale House Cider. And just don’t drink Magners, ever.
The West Cider 
Pingback: Review – The Hills Cider « The West Cider